Kahawai management 2004 to 2005

Background

Kahawai
are one of 19 species gazetted for inclusion in the QMS by October
2005. Other species of importance to recreational and Maori customary
fishers are green-lipped mussels, mako shark, parore, porae, red
snapper, yellowfin tuna and swordfish. For full details on all species
read the IPP cover letter and full IPP documents on the Fisheries
Management page.

Kahawai
were introduced into the Quota Management System (QMS) on 1st October
2004. Before their introduction the Ministry of Fisheries issued
their management proposal in a document, an Initial Position Paper
(IPP) dated January 2004. Submissions to the IPP were due by 16th
April 2004. option4, the NZ Big Game Fishing Council and the NZ
Angling & Casting Association submitted jointly.

The Minister
released his decision and the Final Advice Paper on 10th August
2004. All parties to the original submission were outraged at the
decision and have subsequently taken action to challenge the decision.
Included in David Benson-Pope's decision was the commitment to review
the decision in 2005.

Another
kahawai IPP was released by the Ministry on 8th July 2005. option4,
the NZ Big Game Fishing Council and the NZ Recreational Fishing
Council submitted on the new proposals. A 10% proportional reduction
in catches on top of the 15% cut in 2004 will still not address
the issues or provide for a fast rebuild of our kahawai stocks.

Information

To achieve
a good level of understanding of complex fisheries management scenarios
we believe it is important to read the available data in good order.
We have organised the information so it is easier to download and
read.

Reference
Material

The following
information has been presented so you can read it and form your
own opinion on the management of this most important fishery to
New Zealanders.

KAHAWAI

Letter
to New Zealand Fishing News

Mark Feldman's dismay
at the poor management of our kahawai and fully supports the
Legal Challenge.

Jan
2005

Letter
to NZ Outdoor Magazine

The sad plight of
our kahawai and what's being done about it.

Dec
2004

Letter
to the Christchurch Press

Dr Graeme Bishop
gets in behind the Kahawai Legal Challenge.

Nov
2004

Legal
Action

The Minister is
formally advised of the kahawai legal action in a letter from
our lawyers.........................(Pdf
120Kb) » »

Sep
2004

Media
Release

The public have
been betrayed by the minor parties over kahawai says the NZ
Recreational Fishing Council.

31 Aug
04

Media
Release

Minister botches
up kahawai decision according to National's Phil Heatley.

31
Aug 04

Remiscent
of a circus, Parliament discuss kahawai with Larry Baldock
of United Future doing his best to prevent kahawai being introduced
into the QMS this year.

31
Aug 04

Media
Release

Greens secure a
commitment from the government about kahawai.

31
Aug 04

Media
Release

United Future turns
the blowtorch on ACT and the Greens to support their move
to revoke the kahawai decision.

30
Aug 04

Media
Release

In the strongest
statement from any political party, United Future and ORNZ
are fully supporting non-commercial fishers regarding the
kahawai issue.

24
Aug 04

Media
Release

The NZBGFC and NZRFC
joint statement on the Minister's decision to reduce kahawai
catch by 15%

Aug 2004

option4
Media Release

Kahawai should be
returned to the public.

Jul
2004

Letter to DoC

option4 write to
the manager of the Marine Conservation Unit in Wellington
expressing concern about DoC's inaction during the kahawai
process in relation to seabirds and mammals.

Jul
2004

Stuffing
around our kahawai stocks

What will he do? The country's kahawai stocks are about to be
divvied up by a Minister of Fisheries fresh to the job and with
little knowledge of it.....

Jul 2004

Who
Do You Believe?

MFish still maintain
there is no scarcity of kahawai and suggest they have shifted
elsewhere......

2
Apr 04

Meeting
Report - Kahawai

Recreational kahawai
catch report and marlin tagging discussion at the Pelagic
Working Group meeting in March 2004.